A consistent photo and note system gives owners and professionals a shared record. It documents visible conditions; it is not permission to probe, dismantle or diagnose the building.
A safe planning sequence
- Give each room a permanent code, then label its walls clockwise from the entry.
- Take one photograph from each corner and one straight-on view of every wall; keep untouched originals.
- Assign detail numbers to trim, hardware, floors, vents, built-ins and visible damage, with context and close views.
- Separate observation from interpretation: record “dark finish visible” rather than asserting an original species or finish.
- Sort notes into retain, investigate and address promptly, without diagnosing the cause.
- Store captions separately from image files, date the folder and keep later design concepts in a different directory.
Common errors
- Photographing only damage
- Deleting imperfect but informative images
- Removing an object to photograph its back
- Attaching labels or tape to old finishes
Stop and call a professional
- Do not remove covers, drill, sand, scrape or open a wall to “see what is there.”
- Stop if you find active water, sagging, a gas odor, heat damage, exposed wiring, damaged suspect asbestos material or peeling paint in a pre-1978 home.
Where AI helps—and where it does not
AI can turn numbered captions into a searchable index, but every entry should retain an “unverified” field. Do not upload addresses, people, security devices or private paperwork unnecessarily.
Official guidance
- NPS Preservation Brief 35: Architectural Investigation (opens in a new tab)
- EPA: Lead-safe renovations for DIYers (opens in a new tab)
- EPA: Asbestos and home remodeling (opens in a new tab)
- City of Chicago: Building permits (opens in a new tab)
- City of Chicago: Work that does not require a permit (opens in a new tab)
This guide is general planning information. Building conditions and local requirements vary; confirm the project-specific permit and trade requirements before work begins.